Stroke recovery is a challenging and complex process that often involves multiple forms of therapy, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. However, there is another lesser-known but highly effective treatment stroke survivors should consider: Vision Therapy. At the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute in Versailles, Kentucky, Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD has been using Vision Therapy to help stroke patients regain their independence by addressing vision-related challenges that often arise after a stroke.
The Role of Vision in Stroke Recovery
Strokes affect the brain, and since about 70% of brain activity is involved in the visual process, it’s no surprise that many stroke patients experience vision issues. These can range from difficulty tracking moving objects to impaired spatial judgment, which affects balance and driving. Some stroke survivors may also suffer from visual field defects, where parts of their visual field become blank or blurry, making daily tasks more difficult.
Dr. Graebe, a neuro-optometrist, specializes in treating these visual disruptions. Many patients who visit his clinic have undergone traditional stroke rehabilitation but still face challenges that seem to elude standard treatments. This is where Vision Therapy becomes an invaluable part of their recovery.
Vision Problems Common After a Stroke
Stroke survivors often suffer from specific vision-related issues, such as:
- Eye-tracking problems: These issues can make it difficult for patients to read or follow objects, leading to frustration in daily activities.
- Reduced visual-spatial judgment: This can impair balance and make driving dangerous, as the patient may misjudge distances or struggle to maintain spatial awareness.
- Visual field defects: Some stroke patients lose part of their field of vision, which can be disorienting and make tasks like walking or cooking hazardous.
How Vision Therapy Works
At the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute, Dr. Graebe uses a combination of special lenses and yoked prisms to assist stroke patients. These tools help retrain the brain to process visual information effectively. Yoked prisms, for example, can help stroke patients regain their peripheral vision and improve spatial orientation, significantly enhancing their ability to move and balance.
One of the reasons Vision Therapy is so successful in stroke rehabilitation is due to recent breakthroughs in brain research, such as neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to learn at any age) and neurogenesis (the formation of new nerve cells). These discoveries have paved the way for innovative therapies that allow stroke patients to regain functions once thought lost.
Real Stories of Recovery
One patient, a resident of Lexington, came to Dr. Graebe after experiencing difficulties driving and navigating stairs following a minor stroke. Despite a clean bill of health from other specialists, she knew something wasn’t right. Through Vision Therapy, she not only improved her balance and visual judgment but also regained her confidence in performing daily tasks that once felt impossible.
Dr. Graebe routinely sees stroke patients from all over Central and Southern Kentucky, including towns like Frankfort, Berea, and Danville, all of whom benefit from his individualized therapy plans. His patients often express relief, knowing they are not “crazy” for feeling that something was still wrong despite other doctors telling them they were fine.
The Power of Neuroplasticity
The ability of the brain to rewire itself and create new neural pathways has been a game-changer in stroke rehabilitation. “The brain is amazing,” says Dr. Graebe. “Give it half a chance, and it will figure out how to adapt.”
This capacity for change is the foundation of Vision Therapy. Stroke patients, even those in their 70s, have shown remarkable improvements. With the right treatment, their vision, balance, and spatial awareness can be restored, helping them lead fuller, more independent lives.
Improve Your Post-Stroke Recovery
If you or a loved one are recovering from a stroke and experiencing vision-related difficulties, don’t hesitate to seek help. Vision Therapy might be the missing piece in your rehabilitation journey.
Dr. Rick Graebe FCOVD and his team at the Neuro-Visual Performance Institute offer personalized treatment plans to address vision issues stemming from strokes. With locations in Versailles, serving the greater Lexington area, and Somerset, they are one of the only neuro-optometric practices in Central and Southern Kentucky.
Call us today at 859-879-0089 to schedule a consultation and start your path to recovery.
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This blog is based on information from Dr. Rick Graebe as compiled and written by John Lynch.